III 

112TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 132 

Recognizing and honoring the zoos and aquariums of the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 6 (legislative day, APRIL 5), 2011 

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska (for himself, Mr. DURBIN, Ms. CANTWELL, and 

Mrs. MURRAY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on Environment and Public Works 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing and honoring the zoos and aquariums of the 

United States. 

Whereas the 223 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums support more than 

142,000 jobs nationwide, making such zoos and aquariums a valuable part of local and national economies; 

Whereas according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, accredited zoos and aquariums generate more than 

$15,000,000,000 in economic activity in the United 

States annually; 

Whereas according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, accredited zoos and aquariums attract more than 

165,000,000 visitors each year and are a valuable part of 

regional, State, and local tourist economies; 


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•SRES 132 IS 

Whereas according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, accredited zoos and aquariums have formally 

trained more than 400,000 teachers, and such zoos and 

aquariums support science curricula with effective teaching materials and hands-on opportunities and host more 

than 12,000,000 students annually on school field trips; 

Whereas according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, accredited zoos and aquariums provide a unique 

opportunity for the public to engage in conservation and 

education efforts, and more than 60,000 people invest 

more than 3,000,000 hours per year as volunteers at 

such zoos and aquariums; 

Whereas public investment in accredited zoos and aquariums 

has dual benefits, including immediate job creation and 

environmental education for children in the United 

States; 

Whereas accredited zoos and aquariums focus on connecting 

people and animals, and such zoos and aquariums provide a critical link to helping animals in their native habitats; 

Whereas according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, accredited zoos and aquariums have provided more 

than $90,000,000 per year over the past 5 years to support more than 4,000 field conservation and research 

projects in more than 100 countries; and 

Whereas many Federal agencies have recognized accredited 

zoos and aquariums as critical partners in rescue, rehabilitation, confiscation, and reintroduction efforts for distressed, threatened, and endangered species: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 


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•SRES 132 IS 

1 (1) recognizes and honors the zoos and aquar2 iums of the United States; 

3 (2) commends the employees and volunteers at 

4 each zoo and aquarium for their hard work and 

5 dedication; 

6 (3) recommends that people in the United 

7 States visit their local accredited zoo and aquarium 

8 and take advantage of the educational opportunities 

9 that such zoos and aquariums offer; and 

10 (4) urges continued support for accredited zoos 

11 and aquariums and the important conservation, edu12 cation, and recreation programs of such zoos and 

13 aquariums. 

Æ 


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